By Megan Harris
Ideally, the people you've decided to include in your wedding
party are the people who know you best, and have proven
themselves to be the most dependable, trustworthy, and caring
relationships you have. These are the people you've
hand-selected to help plan every detail of your wedding as well
as the events leading up to your wedding. They've stood by your
side when everyone else said it's crazy to have two hundred
guests standing barefoot on a tiny stretch of beach just because
that's where you and your hubby-to-be had your first kiss. These
are also the people who had enough courage to tell you it's
tacky to hire an Elvis impersonator to be your officiant just
because you got engaged in Vegas.
When all is said and done, the members of your bridal party
have earned a thoughtful token of your appreciation. So, how can
you express your affection to each person individually without
breaking into the honeymoon fund to pay for it?
Just like bridesmaids, bridal party gifts come in all shapes
and sizes, and there isn't really any protocol, so feel free to
get imaginative and be creative. One good rule, get something
that is practical, and that can be monogrammed or personalized
in some way. This ensures that your gift will be useful and
elegant, and contain a personal element.
One very practical idea for bridesmaids is to purchase
something for them to wear in the wedding, such as a necklace
and earrings. Another great idea is to buy metal picture frames
that can be engraved with the name and perhaps the date of the
event. Monogrammed makeup cases are also a good marriage of the
useful and the personal.
For groomsmen, some of the more practical yet elegant gifts
you'll find include multi-function pocket knives (or army
knives), personalized mugs, business card cases, clocks and
pocket watches.
As you shop, keep in mind the personality of the person
you're buying for. An engraved wine box is great if your best
man enjoys drinking wine, but a monogrammed beach tote might be
a better fit for your bridesmaid who never misses a Saturday in
the sun.
Here's a list of unique gift ideas your bridal party is sure
to love, and some even include spending quality time together,
which might be in high demand with all the busy-ness that
surrounds a wedding.
For the Bridesmaids
Purchase a day at the spa for your bridesmaids. You can spend
as much or as little as you can afford. Pay for massages,
facials, hair and nails or just choose one of these services.
Then, make appointments for everyone to go at the same time,
possibly the day before or morning of your wedding.
Pay for bridesmaids makeup to be done for the day of the
wedding, this can include a wedding day makeover.
Give each bridesmaid a beach tote filled with beach supplies,
such as sunblock, flip flops, tanning oil, sunglasses, beach
towel, etc.
Purchase decorative hair pins, with matching jewelry to be
worn in the wedding.
Make a scrapbook of wedding planning moments, your bridal
shower, and bachelorette party. Save space at the end to add
pictures from the wedding itself (this one includes a lot of
effort, so you may want to make it a special gift for your maid
of honor).
Make a photo calendar through an online photo service site,
like Snapfish.com or Shutterfly.com. Visit these sites to
explore various fun photo possibilities.
Host a thank-you tea and prepare a special note of thanks
written specifically for each bridesmaid in which you touch on
unique ways each individual has helped make your wedding special
or why you chose her to be in your wedding party. You might even
consider framing the note to create a lasting memory.
Bridesmaid Survival Kit – purchase a small lace bag and
fill it with everything a bridesmaid might need, including
needle and thread, safety pins, nail polish (colored and clear),
bobby pins, compact, eye drops, pain reliever, chewing
gun/breath mints, and anything else you can think of.
Help your girls relax after the wedding. Give them flip flops
or slippers and a bathrobe (this can be monogrammed if you
choose) to wrap around themselves after a long night of dancing
in heels. Or, if you really want to be kind, give them the flip
flops or slippers to wear during the reception so they can ditch
those heels as soon as the ceremony is over and the formal
pictures are committed to digital memory.
Host a book club exclusively for your bridal party and buy
each member a copy of the book with a personal inscription
inside. Then, put together a basket filled with items connected
with the story, or the culture/period in which the story takes
place.
Buy a silver charm bracelet and have bridesmaids initials
engraved on the pendant.
Instruct your photographer to take a special photo of you
with each of your bridesmaids, then give them the framed photos
after the wedding.
Monogrammed handbags for everyday use.
Formal handbags for use during the wedding.
Put together an aroma therapy basket filled with scented
candles, oils, and potpourri. Include bath oils and bubbles as
well.
Have a flower vase monogrammed with initials and/or the date
of your wedding. You can even include the word bridesmaid or
maid of honor.
Personalized manicure/pedicure sets.
Engraved compact mirror.
For the Groomsmen
Take your guys camping and equip them all with their own
utility knife (this can even be engraved!!)
Personalized frosted mugs, wine glasses, wine cases, flasks,
or shot glasses are all popular favorites.
Personalized NFL gear from their favorite team.
Set of personalized bar glasses.
What man doesn't love a good Barbecue? Host a BBQ and present
each guy with BBQ essentials such as chef's apron, BBQ tools,
marinades, and grilling recipe book.
Buy a share in a stock of the company of your choice for each
guy. Check out giveashare.com for a selection of shares, each of
which comes with an authentic, personalized certificate.
Give a subscription to the micro brew of the month club, or
the coffee of the month club. You can shop online for the best
deal, but the basic idea is each month your groomsmen will
receive a selection of different "lightly distributed"
micro brewed beers, or "internationally selected"
coffee beans. There are a host of monthly clubs with the option
of purchasing just one month's service.
Monthlyclubs.com
http://clubsdelivered.com/catalog/home.htmers
Gifts.com
(this site offers three months with free shipping)
For the ultra practical groomsman, purchase one month's worth
of gas for his car or truck. This will be especially appreciated
as prices continue to rise.
Send them to the gym in style with personalized gym bags.
Travel bags, or toiletries bags are always useful as well.
Take your guys to see a ballgame and host a tailgating party
before the event.
Personal Chess set for an elegant and timeless gift.
Personalized Poker set for their weekly poker night.
For a laugh, have bobbleheads custom made of each groomsman.
This gift can be found at
http://www.fadtoys.com/custom-bobbleheads/index.html
Personalized men's grooming kit.
If your guys love their ipods, purchase a personalized case.
Or, have one made for their cellphones or palm pilot.
Buy a personalized cooler and fill it with outdoor eating
essentials such as paper plates, plastic utilities, water
bottle, napkins, and maybe even a few snacks.
For baseball fans, purchase a baseball bat and have it
engraved to make it personal.
For golfers, get a set of personalized golf towels, a box of
golf balls, teas, and golf head covers.
Here are some of our local advertisers with great bridal
party gifts:
Of course, we love and appreciate it when you tell our
advertisers you found them on
AtlanticCityWeddings.com!
Trendie
Treasures in historic Smithville has wonderful and
unique jewelry for your bridal party, fun hair accessories,
really cute purses, including bridal purses and more!
Plus, if you bring in a swatch of fabric from your bridal party
gowns (and/or photos), they'll help you find the perfect jewelry
to gown with the gowns!
Local Wineries for custom wine bottles, to fill gift baskets,
etc.
Design custom gift baskets for your bridal party members
based on a theme or a unique idea!
Ireland
and Old Lace has unique bridal party gifts and wonderful
celtic jewelry for your bridal party!
Golf gifts and golf outings for groomsmen:
Elite
Fitness and Image
by Design have teamed up to offer great bridal party fitness
packages that are fun and include Bridal Boot Camp, personal
trainers and more.
Here are a list of other sites (non-paying,
non-commission, etc) we've uncovered that also offer a wide
selection of gifts. You may find what you're looking for on one
of these sites, or simply use them as a spring board to take you
to even more unique ideas.
Things
Remembered is a great place to find elegant, affordable,
heirloom quality gifts that are designed to be personalized.
Beau
Coup has an incredible selection of gifts ranging from $10
to $80, but with quite a large number in the more affordable
range. The gifts are both unique, personalized, and practical. A
great site!
FindGift.com
has some whimsical, modern ideas not only for the bridal party,
but also for parent's and in-laws.
American
Bridal, a huge assortment of gifts for everyone who shares a
special role on your wedding day.
BrideStuff.com offers fun and trendy gifts for bridesmaids,
groomsmen, parents, ring bearers and flower girls. Many of the
gifts on this site can be personalized for no additional cost. http://www.bridestuff.com/gifts-for-wedding-attendants.aspx
And don't forget the flower girl and ring bearer
http://www.bridestuff.com/giftsforflowergirls-2.aspx
Snapfish.com
Create a calendar, photo book, or collage poster of your
favorite moments with your wedding party leading up to the big
day.
WeddingShowergifts.com
has a page dedicated to gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen.
These are fun, unique, personalized gifts.
Wrapwithus.com
This is a great site for inexpensive gifts. Some
items are playful while others are more stylish.
Sweet
Memory Baskets offers an array of totes, handbags, jewelry
and more, along with some more useful tips for choosing gifts
for your bridal party.
Bridal
People – This site has a great page dedicated to
bridesmaid spa gifts, as well as other unique gift ideas. You'll
also find gifts for parents of the bride and groom. |
